Vibration Correcting Device, Lens Barrel, and Optical Device

ABSTRACT

An optical device with an imaging device for forming an image of a subject with a lens device, including a lens unit, a movable member making the lens unit movable within a plane orthogonal to the optical axis of the lens unit, an image pickup device imaging the subject image formed by the lens device, a fixed member limiting the movement of the movable member in the optical axis direction, at least three balls rolling between the movable and fixed member, a vibration detecting unit, and a pitch and yaw direction drive units for driving the movable member in the pitch and yaw directions within the optical axis orthogonal plane, respectively. The pitch and yaw direction drive units press the movable member toward the fixed member side by means of magnetic pressing forces caused by magnetic attractive action between drive magnets and yokes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image vibration correcting devicefor shifting a lens within an optical axis orthogonal plane to correctimage vibration due to so-called hand movements, and for example, avibration correcting device suitable for being installed in a lensbarrel, or a imaging device such as a video camera, digital still cameraor the like, or an observation device such as binoculars, astronomicaltelescope or the like.

2. Description of the Related Art

In order to prevent image vibration due to hand movements or the likewhich is easily caused when shooting in a hand-held condition, variousdevices have been proposed for realizing vibration correction bydetecting vibration information of a camera or binoculars and opticallycanceling the vibration based on the detection results.

For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,112,028 (Japanese Laid-Open No. 305277of 1999), a so-called shift-method vibration correcting device isproposed in which a vibration correcting lens group among a plurality oflens groups is shifted in an optical axis orthogonal plane to correctvibration.

In a vibration correcting device relating to this proposition, threepins are radially press-fitted to a shift member holding the vibrationcorrecting lens group, and engaged into slots formed at three portionsin the circumferential direction of a fixed member which is the devicemain body while leaving a space, and guided so that the vibrationcorrecting lens group can be shifted within the optical axis orthogonalplane.

In this vibration correcting device, the pins are pressed toward oneside in the optical axis direction in the slots by using magneticattraction acting between a magnet and a ferromagnet, whereby loosenessinside this guide portion and tilt of the vibration correcting lensgroup due to the looseness are prevented. Thereby, optical performanceis maintained and operation noise caused by looseness at the guideportion when driving is reduced.

In the vibration correcting device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,602,675(Japanese Laid-Open No. 289465 of 1994), in a flexible substrateconnecting a circuit board provided in the fixed member and a coilprovided at the shift member, by contrivence in the shape andarrangement of an extended portion to reduce loads in the optical axisdirection and shift two directions, harmful influences to the drive ofthe shift member are prevented.

Furthermore, in the vibration correcting device disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 6,064,827 (Japanese Laid-Open No. 319465 of 1998), the objects toeliminate looseness between the fixed member and the shift member in theoptical axis direction and reduce drive resistance of the shift memberagainst the fixed member are achieved by disposing a rolling ballbetween the fixed member and the shift member and pressing the shiftmember is prevented by a spring pressing force against the fixed membervia the ball.

In this vibration correcting device, a structure has been employed inwhich the shift member is guided in the shift direction by the ballrolling, and the shift member's prevented from rotating about theoptical axis by a spring.

Recently, in imaging devices and observation devices to which lensbarrels are mounted, in order to improve portability and containingperformance, a downsized design or a design with fewer projections hasbeen demanded, and in accordance with this tendency, downsizing is alsorequired for lens barrels and vibration correcting devices.

However, if a lens barrel is downsized, a space for locating a vibrationcorrecting device main body or a flexible substrate connecting the fixedmember and shift member is remarkably limited, and as a result, itbecomes difficult to sufficiently lower the rigidity of the flexiblesubstrate. Therefore, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,602,675, it is difficult tolower an elastic force in the optical axis direction to be generated onthe flexible substrate to a permissible level by only contrivance in theshape and arrangement of the flexible substrate.

Therefore, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,112,028, even if the shift member ispressed in the optical axis direction by a proper force while using amagnetic attractive force, due to unevenness in the elastic force in theoptical axis direction of the flexible substrate, the pins of the shiftmember are excessively pressed into the slots and resistance greatlyincreases, or to the contrary, pressing by means of the magneticattractive force is canceled, and this harmfully influences the drive ofthe shift member.

On the other hand, in the field of image pickup devices such as a CCD orthe like for converting a subject image formed on a focus plane by ashooting optical system into an electric signal, in accordance withadvanced semiconductor fine processing techniques, manufacturing of animaging device with smaller pixel pitches has become possible.

Accordingly, two mainstreams have been developed, that is, furtherdownsizing of optical systems by forming an equivalent number of pixelsto that of a conventional art within a smaller area, and a furtherincrease in resolution of optical systems accompanied with an increasein the number of pixels within the same pixel area or due to pixel areaexpansion.

In the former case, since the shift amount of the vibration correctinglens group for correcting the same amount of vibration is roughly inproportion to the imaging area, more minute movement is required, andthe location space for the flexible substrate also becomes smaller.

In the latter case, resolution may deteriorate unless correction ofminute vibration is possible, so that minute movement of the shiftmember must be made possible by lowering the frictional force generatedat the guide portion.

In all cases, higher accuracy relative to the tilt of the vibrationcorrecting lens group is required.

Furthermore, in the vibration correcting device disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 6,064,827, the ball is held by a holding member so as not to changein position with respect to the fixed member, the ball and shift memberare guided by means of rolling. However, since the ball rolls at theposition at which the ball is held by the holding member, slidingfrictional forces are generated between the ball and fixed member andbetween the ball and shift member.

Therefore, the pressing force of a spring for eliminating looseness islimited to be at a minimum level required for holding the ball, so thatthe shift member separates from the ball due to slight acceleration inthe optical axis direction resulting from an inertial force exceedingthis pressing force applied to the shift member, and the deteriorationin optical performance due to tilt of the vibration correcting lensgroup and noise such as a ball striking sound becomes a problem.

For example, when a shift member with a 4 g weight is pressed by a 4 gfforce, application of only 1 G or more of acceleration causes the shiftmember to separate from the ball.

The prevention of rotation of the shift member about the optical axis bymeans of a spring relies on the pulling force of the spring, so that therotation cannot be completely stopped, and the force can only suppressthe rotation.

Particularly, in the construction of the means for detecting theposition of the shift member which is disclosed in the abovementionedU.S. Pat. No. 6,064,827, an output value of the position detecting meanschanges due to the rotation about the optical axis. Therefore, dependingon the positional relationship between the force generating position atwhich the drive means generates a shifting drive force and the center ofgravity of the shift member, or the connected position and shape of theflexible substrate connected to a coil on the shift member, the shiftmember rotates about the optical axis in accordance with the shiftingdrive, and the drive of the vibration correcting lens group to a correctposition for vibration correction becomes impossible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is, therefore, to provide a vibrationcorrecting device wherein noise such as a striking sounds does not occurat a guide portion by holding and guiding a shift member withoutlooseness, the tilt of a vibration correcting lens group is very small,optical performance is excellent, a pressing force to be applied to theshift member can be increased by reducing a drive frictional force whencorrecting vibration by means of a ball rolling guide, and influences ofthe elastic force in the optical axis direction of a flexible substratecan be prevented.

In order to achieve the abovementioned object, a vibration correctingdevice of the invention comprises:

a lens unit having an optical axis;

a movable member holding the lens unit, which makes the lens unitmovable within a plane orthogonal to the optical axis;

a fixed member for limiting the movement of the movable member in theoptical axis direction;

at least three balls disposed between the movable member and fixedmember, which can roll between the movable member and fixed member, andmake relative movements of the movable member and fixed member possible;

a vibration detecting unit for detecting vibration, which outputsvibration information corresponding to vibration; and

a drive unit for driving the movable member within the optical axisorthogonal plane in response to the vibration information from thevibration detecting unit, where the drive unit includes at least a drivemagnet held by the fixed member and a yoke and a coil held by themovable member, or the drive unit includes at least a drive magnet heldby the movable member and a yoke and a coil held by the fixed member,wherein

the drive unit presses the movable member toward the fixed member sideby means of a magnetic pressing force due to magnetic attractive actionbetween the drive magnet and yoke.

Furthermore, a vibration correcting device of the invention comprises:

a lens unit having an optical axis direction;

a movable member holding the lens unit, which makes the lens unitmovable within a plane orthogonal to the optical axis;

a fixed member for limiting the movement of the movable member in theoptical axis;

at least three balls disposed between the movable member and fixedmember, which can roll between the movable member and fixed member andmake relative movements of the movable member and fixed member possible;

a vibration detecting unit for detecting vibration, which outputsvibration information corresponding to vibration;

a pitch direction drive unit for driving the movable member in the pitchdirection within the optical axis orthogonal plane and a yaw directiondrive unit for driving the movable member in the yaw direction withinthe optical axis orthogonal plane in accordance with the vibrationinformation from the vibration detecting unit, where the pitch directiondrive unit and yaw direction drive unit include drive magnets held bythe fixed member and yokes and coils held by the movable member, orinclude drive magnets held by the movable member and yokes and coilsheld by the fixed member, wherein

the pitch direction drive unit and yaw direction drive unit press themovable member toward the fixed member side by means of magneticpressing forces due to magnetic attractive action between the drivemagnets and yokes.

Furthermore, a vibration correcting device of the invention comprises:

a lens unit having an optical axis direction;

a movable member holding the lens unit, which makes the lens unitmovable within a plane orthogonal to the optical axis;

a fixed member for limiting the movement of the movable member in theoptical axis;

at least three balls disposed between the movable member and fixedmember, which can roll between the movable member and fixed member andmake relative movements of the movable member and fixed member possible;

a vibration detecting unit for detecting vibration, which outputsvibration information corresponding to vibration;

a pitch direction drive unit for driving the movable member in the pitchdirection within the optical axis orthogonal plane and a yaw directiondrive unit for driving the movable member in the yaw direction withinthe optical axis orthogonal plane in accordance with the vibrationinformation from the vibration detecting unit, where the pitch directiondrive unit and yaw direction drive unit include drive magnets held bythe fixed member and yokes and coils held by the movable member, orinclude drive magnets held by the movable member and yokes and coilsheld by the fixed member;

a pitch directional position detecting unit for detecting the movingposition of the movable member in the pitch direction and a yawdirectional position detecting unit for detecting the moving position ofthe movable member in the yaw direction, where the pitch detectingdirectional axis of the pitch directional position detecting unit andthe yaw detecting directional axis of the yaw directional positiondetecting unit are substantially on and along the optical axis of thelens unit when the movable member is at a neutral position in the pitchdirection and yaw direction, wherein

the pitch direction drive unit and yaw direction drive unit press themovable member toward the fixed member side by means of magneticpressing forces due to magnetic attractive action between the drivemagnets and yokes.

Furthermore, a lens device of the invention comprises:

a lens unit which is disposed inside the lens device and has an opticalaxis;

a movable member holding the lens unit, which makes the lens unitmovable within a plane orthogonal to the optical axis;

a fixed member for limiting the movement of the movable member in theoptical axis direction;

at least three balls disposed between the movable member and fixedmember, which can roll between the movable member and fixed member andmake relative movements of the movable member and fixed member possible;

a vibration detecting unit for detecting vibration, which outputsvibration information corresponding to vibration;

a drive unit for driving the movable member within the optical axisorthogonal plane in accordance with the vibration information from thevibration detecting unit, where the drive unit includes at least a drivemagnet held by the fixed member and a yoke and a coil held by themovable member, or includes at lease a drive magnet held by the movablemember and a yoke and a coil held by the fixed member, wherein

the drive unit presses the movable member toward the fixed member sideby means of a magnetic pressing force due to magnetic attractive actionbetween the drive magnet and yoke.

Furthermore, a lens device of the invention comprises:

a lens unit which is disposed inside the lens device and has an opticalaxis;

a movable member holding the lens unit, which makes the lens unitmovable within a plane orthogonal to the optical axis;

a fixed member for limiting the movement of the movable member in theoptical axis direction;

at least three balls disposed between the movable member and fixedmember, which can roll between the movable member and fixed member andmake relative movements of the movable member and fixed member possible;

a vibration detecting unit for detecting vibration, which outputsvibration information corresponding to vibration;

a pitch direction drive unit for driving the movable member in the pitchdirection within the optical axis orthogonal plane and a yaw directiondrive unit for driving the movable member in the yaw direction withinthe optical axis orthogonal plane in accordance with the vibrationinformation from the vibration detecting unit, where the pitch directiondrive unit and yaw direction drive unit include drive magnets held bythe fixed member and yokes and coils held by the movable member, orinclude drive magnets held by the movable member and yokes and coilsheld by the fixed member, wherein

the pitch direction drive unit and yaw direction drive unit press themovable member toward the fixed member side by means of magneticpressing forces due to magnetic attractive action between the drivemagnets and yokes.

Furthermore, a lens device of the invention comprises:

a lens unit which is disposed inside the lens device and has an opticalaxis;

a movable member holding the lens unit, which makes said lens unitmovable within a plane orthogonal to the optical axis;

a fixed member for limiting the movement of the movable member in theoptical axis direction;

at least three balls disposed between the movable member and fixedmember, which can roll between the movable member and fixed member andmake relative movements of the movable member and fixed member possible;

a vibration detecting unit for detecting vibration, which outputsvibration information corresponding to vibration;

a pitch direction drive unit for driving the movable member in the pitchdirection within the optical axis orthogonal plane and a yaw directiondrive unit for driving the movable member in the yaw direction withinthe optical axis orthogonal plane in accordance with the vibrationinformation from the vibration detecting unit, where the pitch directiondrive unit and yaw direction drive unit include drive magnets held bythe fixed member and yokes and coils held by the movable member, orinclude drive magnets held by the movable member and yokes and coilsheld by the fixed member;

a pitch directional position detecting unit for detecting the movingposition of the movable member in the pitch direction and a yawdirectional position detecting unit for detecting the moving position ofthe movable member in the yaw direction, where the pitch detectingdirectional axis of the pitch directional position detecting unit andthe yaw detecting directional axis of the yaw directional positiondetecting unit are substantially on and along the optical axis of thelens unit when the movable member is at a neutral position in the pitchdirection and yaw direction, wherein

the pitch direction drive unit and yaw direction drive unit press themovable member toward the fixed member side by means of magneticpressing forces due to magnetic attractive action between the drivemagnets and yokes.

Furthermore, an optical device of the invention has an imaging devicefor imaging a subject image formed by a lens device, and comprises:

a lens unit which is disposed inside the lens device and has an opticalaxis;

a movable member holding the lens unit, which makes the lens unitmovable within a plane orthogonal to the optical axis;

an image pickup device for imaging the subject image formed by the lensdevice;

a fixed member for limiting the movement of the movable member in theoptical axis direction;

at least three balls disposed between the movable member and fixedmember, which can roll between the movable member and fixed member andmake relative movements of the movable member and fixed member possible;

a vibration detecting unit for detecting vibration, which outputsvibration information corresponding to vibration; and

a drive unit for driving the movable member within the optical axisorthogonal plane in accordance with the vibration information from thevibration detecting unit, which includes at least a drive magnet held bythe fixed member and a yoke and a coil held by the movable member, orinclude at least a drive magnet held by the movable member and a yokeand a coil held by the fixed member, wherein

the drive unit presses the movable member toward the fixed member sideby means of a magnetic pressing force due to magnetic attractive actionbetween the drive magnet and yoke.

Furthermore, an optical device of the invention has an imaging devicefor imaging a subject image formed by a lens device, and comprises:

a lens unit which is disposed inside the lens device and has an opticalaxis;

a movable member holding the lens unit, which makes the lens unitmovable within a plane orthogonal to the optical axis;

an image pickup device for imaging the subject image formed by the lensdevice;

a fixed member for limiting the movement of the movable member in theoptical axis direction;

at least three balls disposed between the movable member and fixedmember, which can roll between the movable member and fixed member andmake relative movements of the movable member and fixed member possible;

a vibration detecting unit for detecting vibration, which outputsvibration information corresponding to vibration; and

a pitch direction drive unit for driving the movable member in the pitchdirection within the optical axis orthogonal plane and a yaw directiondrive unit for driving the movable member in the yaw direction withinthe optical axis orthogonal plane in accordance with the vibrationinformation from the vibration detecting unit, where the pitch directiondrive unit and yaw direction drive unit include drive magnets held bythe fixed member and yokes and coils held by the movable member, orinclude drive magnets held by the movable member and yokes and coilsheld by the fixed member, wherein

the pitch direction drive unit and yaw direction drive unit press themovable member toward the fixed member side by means of magneticpressing forces due to magnetic attractive action between the drivemagnets and yokes.

Furthermore, an optical device of the invention has an imaging devicefor imaging a subject image formed by from a lens device, and comprises:

a lens unit which is disposed inside the lens device and has an opticalaxis;

a movable member holding the lens unit, which makes the lens unitmovable within a plane orthogonal to the optical axis;

an image pickup device for imaging the subject image formed by the lensdevice;

a fixed member for limiting the movement of the movable member in theoptical axis direction;

at least three balls disposed between the movable member and fixedmember, which can roll between the movable member and fixed member andmake relative movements of the movable member and fixed member possible;

a vibration detecting unit for detecting vibration, which outputsvibration information corresponding to vibration; and

a pitch direction drive unit for driving the movable member in the pitchdirection within the optical axis orthogonal plane and a yaw directiondrive unit for driving the movable member in the yaw direction withinthe optical axis orthogonal plane in accordance with the vibrationinformation from the vibration detecting unit, where said pitchdirection drive unit and yaw direction drive unit include drive magnetsheld by the fixed member and yokes and coils held by the movable member,or include drive magnets held by the movable member and yokes and coilsheld by the fixed member; and

a pitch directional position detecting unit for detecting the movingposition of the movable member in the pitch direction and a yawdirectional position detecting unit for detecting the moving position ofthe movable member in the yaw direction, where the pitch detectingdirectional axis of the pitch directional position detecting unit andthe yaw detecting directional axis of the yaw directional positiondetecting unit are substantially on and along the optical axis of thelens unit when the movable member is at a neutral position in the pitchdirection and yaw direction, wherein

the pitch direction drive unit and yaw direction drive unit press themovable member toward the fixed member side by means of magneticpressing forces due to magnetic attractive action between the drivemagnets and yokes.

Other constructions and objects of the invention will become clear whiledescribing the embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a lens barrel of an embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the lens barrel;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a shift unit to be used forthe lens barrel;

FIG. 4 are drawings for explaining a drive means of the shift unit;

FIG. 5 are drawings for explaining a ball movement limiting space in theshift unit;

FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining the principle of a position detectingmeans provided in the shift unit;

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a signal processing circuit of a hall elementcomprising the position detecting means;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of a flexible substrate to be used for theshift unit;

FIG. 9 are drawings for explaining the characteristics of the shiftframe of the position detecting means with respect to rotation; and

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the electric circuitry of aphotographic device including the lens barrel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show the construction of a lens barrel with avibration correcting device of an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1shows the exploded perspective view of the lens barrel, and FIG. 2 showsthe sectional view of the lens barrel. This lens barrel is used for ashooting device such as a video camera.

The optical system of this lens barrel is a zooming optical systemcomposed of four groups, that is, a positive lens component, negativelens component, positive lens component, and positive lens component inorder from the subject or observing object side.

L1 shows a fixed first lens group, L2 shows a second lens group whichmoves in the optical axis direction to carry out zooming operation, L3shows a third lens group (vibration correcting lens: hereinafterreferred to as shift lens) which moves within the optical axisorthogonal plane to carry out vibration correcting operation, and L4shows a fourth lens group which moves in the optical axis direction tocarry out focusing operation.

Fixed lens barrel 1 holds the first lens group L1, zoom moving frame 2holds the second lens group L2, shift unit 3 makes the shift lens L3movable within the optical axis orthogonal plane, focus moving frame 4holds the fourth lens group L4, and rear lens barrel 5 is for fixing animage pickup device such as a CCD.

Two guide bars 6 and 7 are positioned and fixed between the fixed lensbarrel 1 and rear lens barrel 5. The zoom moving frame 2 and focusmoving frame 4 are movably supported in the optical axis direction bythe guide bars 6 and 7.

The zoom moving frame 2 and focus moving frame 4 are fitted to one guidebar at sleeve portions with predetermined lengths in the optical axisdirection, thereby the frames are prevented from tilting in the opticalaxis direction, and the frames are engaged with the other guide bar atthe U-shaped groove portions, whereby the frames are prevented fromrotating about the one guide bar.

The shift unit 3 is positioned and disposed between the fixed lensbarrel 1 and rear lens barrel 5 and fixed by three screws S1, S2, and S3tightened from the rear side.

Aperture stop unit 8 changes the aperture diameter of the optical systemby moving two stop blades in opposite directions.

Stepping motor (hereinafter, referred to as focusing motor) 9 drives thefourth lens group L4 and causes it to carry out focusing operation, andhas a rotor and a lead screw 9 a that is coaxial with the rotor. Withthe lead screw 9 a, rack 4 a attached to the focus moving frame 4 isengaged, and the focus moving frame 4 (fourth lens group L4) is drivenin the optical axis direction when the rotor and lead screw 9 a rotate.The focus motor 9 is fixed to the rear lens barrel 4 by two screws S4and S5.

By twisted coil spring 4 b disposed between the focus moving frame 4 andrack 4 a, the focus moving frame 4 is lopsidedly pressed in the guidebar diameter direction of the guide bars 6 and 7, the rack 4 a ispressed in the optical axis direction with respect to the focus movingframe 4, and the rack 4 a is further pressed in the engagement directionwith the lead screw 9 a, whereby looseness of the parts is eliminated.

Stepping motor (hereinafter, referred to as zoom motor) 10 drives thesecond lens group L2 in the optical axis direction and causes it tocarry out zooming operation, and has a rotor and a lead screw 10 a thatis coaxial with the rotor. With the lead screw 10 a, rack 2 a attachedto zoom moving frame 2 is engaged, and the zoom moving frame 2 (secondlens group L2) is driven in the optical axis direction when the rotorand lead screw 10 a rotate. The zoom motor 10 is fixed to the fixed lensbarrel 7 by two screws S6 and S7.

By twisted coil spring 2 b disposed between the zoom moving frame 2 andrack 2 a, the zoom moving frame 2 is pressed in the guide bar diameterdirection of the guide bars 6 and 7, the rack 2 a is pressed in theoptical axis direction with respect to the zoom moving frame 2, and therack 2 a is further pressed in the engagement direction with the leadscrew 10 a, whereby looseness of the parts is eliminated.

Focus reset switch 11 is composed of a photointerrupter, and detectschangeover between light shielding and transmittance accompanyingmovements of a light shielding portion 4 c on the focus moving frame 4in the optical axis direction and outputs electric signals. A controlcircuit that is not shown judges whether or not the fourth lens group L4is at a reference position based on an electric signal from the focusreset switch 11. This focus reset switch 11 is fixed to the rear lensbarrel 5 by one screw S8.

Zoom reset switch 12 is composed of a photointerrupter, and detectschangeover between light shielding and transmittance accompanyingmovements of a light shielding portion 2 c on the zoom moving frame 2 inthe optical axis direction, and outputs electric signals. A controlcircuit that is not shown judges whether or not the second lens group L2is at a reference position based on an electric signal from the zoomreset switch 12. This zoom reset switch 12 is fixed to the fixed lensbarrel 1 by one screw S9.

Next, the construction of shift unit 3 (vibration correcting device)which makes the third lens group L3 movable within the optical axisorthogonal plane is explained in detail with reference to FIG. 2 andFIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows an exploded condition of the shift unit 3 viewedfrom the rear side.

Shift base 13 composes the front side body of the shift unit 3, and isdisposed and fixed between the fixed lens barrel 1 and rear lens barrel5.

Shift frame 15 is a movable member for holding the shift lens L3, andcan shift with respect to the shift base as a fixed member within theoptical axis orthogonal plane in the pitch direction to correct imagevibration due to vibration in the pitch direction (vertical angle changeof the camera) and in the yaw direction to correct image vibration dueto vibration in the yaw direction (horizontal angle change of thecamera).

Three balls 16 a, 16 b, and 16 c are disposed between the shift base 13and shift frame 15. The balls 16 a, 16 b, and 16 c are made from amaterial such as SUS304 (austenite-based stainless steel) so as not tobe attracted by drive magnets disposed in the vicinities as describedlater.

The balls 16 a, 16 b, and 16 c come into contact with the surfaces 13 a,13 b, and 13 c on the shift base 13 and the surfaces 15 a, 15 b, and 15c of the shift frame 15, respectively. The contact surfaces at the threeportions are perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical system,and if the nominal diameters of the three balls 13 a, 13 b, and 13 c areequal to each other, by suppressing the positional differences betweenthe contact surfaces at the three portions in the optical axis directionto be small, the shift frame 15 can be held and guided to shift whilemaintaining a posture perpendicular to the optical axis.

Sensor base 17 composes the rear side body, and is positioned by twopositioning pins and connected to the shift base 13 by two screws S10and S11.

Next, the construction of a drive unit for shift-driving the shift frame15 is explained. The pitch direction drive unit and yaw direction driveunit have the same construction in the pitch direction and yaw directionand have only a phase difference of 90 degrees about the optical axis,and the pitch directional position detecting unit and yaw directionalposition detecting unit have the same construction in the pitchdirection and yaw direction, and have only a phase difference of 90degrees about the optical axis. Therefore, the pitch direction driveunit and position detecting unit shown in FIG. 2 are explained herein.Among the numerical references showing the parts in the figure, “P” isattached to the numerical references showing the components in the pitchdirection, and “Y” is attached to the numerical references showing thecomponents in the yaw direction.

Drive magnet 18 p is two-pole magnetized in the radial direction withrespect to the optical axis, and back yoke 19 p is for closing amagnetic flux at the front side in the optical axis direction of thedrive magnet 18 p. The back yoke 19 p and drive magnet 18 p are held atattaching portion 13 p of the shift base 13. Coil 20 p is fixed to theshift frame 15 by means of adhesion, and yoke 21 p is for closing amagnetic flux at the rear side in the optical axis direction of thedrive magnet 18 p. The yoke 21 p has a projected shape in the opticalaxis direction which is roughly the same as that of the drive magnet 18p.

Member 14 p is for positioning the yoke 21 p, and the yoke 21 p ispositioned by this positioning member 14 p and fixed to the back of thecoil 20 p.

The drive magnet 18 p and back yoke 19 p are fixed to the shift base 13,and the yoke 21 p is fixed to the shift frame 15 together with the coil20 p.

The drive magnet 18 p, back yoke 19 p, and yoke 20 p form a magneticcircuit. When a current is made to flow into the coil 20 p disposedinside this magnetic circuit, a Lorentz force is generated in thedirection roughly perpendicular to the magnetizing boundary between twopoles of the drive magnet 18 p due to mutual repulsion between magneticflux lines generated at the magnet and coil, whereby the shift frame 15shifts.

The drive unit thus constructed are provided in the pitch direction andyaw direction, so that drive forces can be applied to the shift member15 in the pitch direction and yaw direction that are orthogonal withinthe optical axis orthogonal plane.

That is, in this embodiment, a so-called moving coil type shift unit inwhich a coil is disposed in the gap of the magnetic circuit including amagnet and the shift frame 15 (shift lens L3) is driven to shifttogether with the coil by supplying power to the coil.

Magnetic attractive action is generated between the drive magnet 18 pand yoke 21 p, and the yoke 21 p is attracted by this attractive forcetoward the drive magnet 18 p side. That is, the magnetic circuit andballs 16 a through 16 c are disposed so that a resultant force in themagnetic circuit in the pitch direction and yaw direction acts insidethe three balls 16 a through 16 c, whereby the shift frame 15 is pressedtoward the shift base 13 side via the three balls 16 a through 16 c.

Between the three balls 16 a through 16 c, the contact surfaces of theshift base 13 and shift frame 15, lubricating oil such as grease isapplied, which has a viscosity at a degree by which the balls 16 areprevented from easily slipping off the contact surfaces of the shiftbase 13 and shift frame 15 without pressing by the abovementionedmagnetic attraction. Thereby, even when an inertia exceeding theabovementioned magnetic attractive force is applied to the shift frame15 and the contact surfaces of the shift frame 15 separate from theballs 16 a through 16 c, the balls 16 a through 16 c can be preventedfrom easily displacing. Furthermore, it is considered that an excellentpressing condition can be maintained in actual shooting by setting atotalized magnetic pressing force of the magnetic pressing forces by themagnetic circuits in the pitch direction and yaw direction to be greaterthan the weight of the shift frame 15 including the shift lens L3.Moreover, the magnetic pressing force may be three, five, or ten timesthe weight of the shift frame 15.

Next, the condition of the shift frame 15 when being driven is explainedwith reference to FIGS. 4( a) through 4(c). FIGS. 4( a) and 4(b) showonly the portion of the abovementioned drive units. In the condition ofFIG. 4( a), a condition is shown where the shift frame 15 is at aneutral position in the pitch direction and yaw direction at which theoptical axis of the shift lens L3 roughly coincides with the opticalaxis of other lens within the lens barrel.

Projection 21 pa is formed on the yoke 21 p by means of half-blanking,and positioned at the boundary of the two-pole magnetizing of the drivemagnet 18 p. At this time, the projection 21 pa is at distances equal toeach other from both of the two magnetizing poles of the drive magnet 18p, so that the forces for attracting the projection 21 pa become equalto each other, and a balanced condition is obtained.

As mentioned above, since the yoke 21 p has a projected shape in theoptical axis direction which is roughly the same as that of the drivemagnet 18 p, a magnetic flux from the two poles of the drive magnet 18 pcloses through the yoke 21 p, and the condition of FIG. 4( a) is amagnetically more stable condition.

FIG. 4( b) shows a condition where the coil 20 p and yoke 21 p (that is,the shift frame 15) have shifted downward in response to power supply tothe coil 20 p. In accordance with a force generated by the coil 20 p,they displace in the pitch direction form the stable condition of FIG.4( a).

The condition of FIG. 4( b) shows displacement from the stable conditionof the magnetic circuit. When power supply to the coil 20 p is stopped,the condition is restored to the condition of FIG. 4( a), however, whenthe projection 21 pa of the yoke 21 p displaces downward, the coil andyoke approach the N pole of the drive magnet 18P and become distant fromthe S pole.

The magnitude of a magnetic force is in inverse proportion to a squareof a distance, so that a force from a magnetic pole to be applied to theprojection 21 pa acts in the direction to promote the displacement.

FIG. 4( c) explains this, wherein the horizontal axis shows voltagevalues to be applied to the coil 20 p, and the vertical axis shows thedisplacement amounts of the shift frame 15. The intersection of bothaxes is at a point at which the voltage to be applied to the coil 20 pis “zero”, which shows that the shift frame 15 is at a neutral position.

If there is no projection 21 pa at the yoke 21 p, the drive curvebecomes as shown by the dashed line A of the figure, and if there is aprojection 21 pa, due to the abovementioned effect of this projection 21pa, a force for closing the magnetic circuit is canceled and the drivecurve becomes as shown by the solid line B. That is, the shift frame 15can be greatly displaced by a small voltage applied.

By changing the size of the yoke 21 p and the size of the projection 21pa, the center position of the magnetic force can be controlled, and forexample, to magnetically support the tare weight of the shift frame 15,the yoke 21 p may be intentionally shifted downward or the projection 21pa may be shifted downward.

Next, the relationship of the shift base 13 and shift frame 15 withrespect to the ball 16 b is explained in FIGS. 5( a) through 5(d). Withrespect to other balls 16 a and 16 c, the same relationship can also beapplied.

In the condition of FIG. 5( a), the shift frame 15 is at a neutralposition, and the ball 16 b is also positioned at the center in alimiting space (movement limiting portion) which is a containing portionfor limiting the movement of the ball 16 b, provided around the contactsurface 13 b of the shift base 13. The contact surface 13 b is a surfaceequivalent to the bottom surface of the concave portion having arectangular (square) opening in a view in the optical axis direction,and the end surface of the limiting space is composed of the inner wallsurface of this concave portion.

FIG. 5( b) shows the condition where the shift frame 15 has been driventoward the downward arrow direction by the drive means in the pitchdirection from the condition of FIG. 5( a). In the condition of FIG. 5(b), the shift frame 15 has been driven up to the end of theunillustrated movable machine provided on the shift base 13 anddisplaced by an amount of a from the neutral position.

The ball 16 b is disposed and supported between the shift base 13 andshift frame 15, so that the ball rolls from the position of FIG. 5( a)to the position of FIG. 5( b). Herein, the rolling friction issufficiently small in comparison with the sliding friction, so that theball 16 b does not slide on the contact surfaces 13 b and 15 b of theshift base 13 and shift frame 15, and the shift frame 15 moves downwardwith respect to the shift base 13 while rolling the ball 16 b.

At this time, the shift frame 15 and shift base 13 move in oppositedirections to each other with respect to the center of the ball 16 b, sothat the movement amount b of the ball 16 a with respect to the shiftbase 13 is half (a/2) of the movement amount a of the shift frame 15.

FIG. 5( c) shows the ball 16 b and limiting space of the shift base 13,which are shown in FIG. 5( b), viewed from the rear side. The ball 16 bis positioned at the center inside the rectangular space enclosed by apair of limiting end surfaces extending in the pitch direction and apair of limiting end surfaces extending in the yaw direction.

The size of the inside of the limiting space is expressed as (r+b+c)from the center when the radius of the ball is defined as r. c shows amechanical allowance. That is, the size of the inside of the limitingspace is a size obtained by summing up the diameter of the ball 16 b,the maximum movement amounts (b×2) of the ball 16 b toward both sides inthe pitch direction and toward both sides in the yaw direction from thecenter in accordance with shift movement of the shift frame 15, and amechanical allowance (c×2).

Herein, in a case where the ball 16 b is at a position shifted downwardby a degree more than the allowance c from the condition where the ballis at the center in the limiting space shown in FIG. 5( c), if the shiftframe 15 is driven downward by the amount of a as shown in FIG. 5( b),the ball 16 b comes into contact with the limiting end surface beforethe shift frame 15 moves by the amount of a and comes into contact withthe mechanical end, and during driving of the shift frame 15 after that,the ball 16 b slides with respect to the shift frame 15 while beingpressed against the limiting end surface.

Then, when the shift frame 15 is further returned by the amount of atoward the center position from the condition where the drive by theamount of a of the shift frame 15 is ended, the ball 16 b rolls andreturns to the position with a distance c from the center of thelimiting space.

Thus, when the shift frame 15 is driven to the mechanical end at theboth sides in the pitch direction and yaw direction and then returned tothe center position, regardless of the initial position of the ball 16b, as shown in FIG. 5( d), the center of the ball 16 b is positionedwithin the rectangular range (initial positioning range) composed by thefour sides at the distance of c from the center of the limiting space.This serial operation is referred to as a ball reset operation.

Normally, optical performance of lenses is designed so that the lensesexhibit maximum performance when the optical axes of the lenses coincidewith each other. Therefore, as the shift lens L3 becomes eccentric inresponse to other lenses, the condition becomes disadvantageous in termsof performance. However, in the lens barrel of this embodiment, opticalperformance which does not come into question in practical use withinthe shift range of the shift lens L3 can be achieved.

When the shift frame 15 is driven in the pitch direction and yawdirection at the same time and by the same amount, the frame moves tothe 2-time position in the middle direction of the pitch and yawdirections. Then, in the actual use condition, the shift frame 15 israrely driven in a completely independent condition in the pitchdirection or yaw direction, but shifts within a circle or a polygonwhich is close to a circle around the optical axis by considering theposition in the other direction.

At this time, the three balls 16 a through 16 c roll within a half rangewhich is similar to the actual movement range.

On the other hand, each of the above-mentioned limiting spacescontaining balls 16 a through 16 c have a rectangular shape with twopairs of sides that are parallel to each other in the pitch directionand yaw direction, however, if this shape is a circle or polygon alongthe range of movement of the ball in an actual use condition asmentioned above, when resetting the ball, it occurs that the ball cannotbe correctly moved to a position at which the ball does not come intocontact with the limiting end surface in an actual use condition.

Therefore, as mentioned above, the size of the limiting space which is acontaining portion is set to be a size obtained by summing the diameterof the ball 16 b, the maximum movement amount (b×2) of the ball 16 btoward both sides in the pitch direction and both sides in the yawdirection from the center in accordance with shift movement of the shiftframe 15 and a mechanical allowance (c×2). Thereby, for example, whenthe ball is lopsidedly moved to two limiting end surfaces adjacent toeach other at one corner (composing a corner), the spaces between theball and the two limiting end surfaces in the pitch direction and yawdirection become larger (2 b+2 c) than half amount b of the mechanicalmaximum movable amount (or maximum movable amount in actual use) in eachdirection of the shift frame 15.

That is, in a case where the movable range of the ball is notrectangular, but circular or polygonal or octagonal, when the ballshifts to an optional position, and the space for ball rolling andreturning to the opposite direction after contacting the end in responseto reset operation is insufficient, the ball comes into contact with theend again, and as a result, initial positioning at the center becomesimpossible. The present embodiment avoids this problem.

To avoid the abovementioned problem, the size of the limiting space isset as mentioned above, whereby the areas of the surfaces 13 a through13 c and 15 a through 15 c of the shift base 13 and shift frame 15 whichcome into contact with the ball can be reduced to be a minimum. Then, byresetting the balls 16 a through 16 c in this condition, the balls donot come into contact with the limiting end surfaces in actual use, andthe shift frame 15 is supported and guided by only the rolling of theball. Therefore, drive resistance of the shift frame 15 when carryingout vibration correcting operation can be reduced to be small, highlyaccurate vibration correcting operation is possible, and the shift unit3 can be downsized as well as the drive means in accordance with areduction in a drive force required for the shift drive.

Furthermore, as mentioned above, by applying lubricating oil between theballs 16 a through 16 c and the contact surfaces 13 a through 13 c and15 a through 15 c, the sliding frictional forces between the balls andcontact surfaces are reduced, whereby more highly accurate vibrationcorrecting control and downsizing of the shift unit 3 can be achieved.

Next, the position detecting means is explained with reference to FIG. 2and FIG. 3. In these figures, detecting magnet 22 p is two-polemagnetized in the radial direction with respect to the optical axis, anda magnetic flux at the front side in the optical axis direction isclosed by the yoke 21 p. The detecting magnet 22 p is fixed to the shiftframe 15 at the rear side (opposite side to the coil 20 p across theyoke 21 p) of the yoke 21 p.

Hall element 24 p converts magnetic flux density into an electricsignal, and is positioned and fixed to sensor base 17. A positiondetecting means is comprised of the detecting magnet 22 p, yoke 21 p,and hall element 24 p. The yoke 21 p is shared by the drive means andposition detecting means, whereby the vibration correction controlperformance can be improved by means of reduction in the number ofparts, downsizing of the shift unit 3, and furthermore, reduction inweight of the shift frame 15 in comparison with the case where a yokewhich is exclusive for the position detecting means is provided.

Herein, the condition of the magnetic flux at the rear side in theoptical axis of the detecting magnet 22 p is explained with reference toFIG. 6. In FIG. 6, the horizontal axis shows positions in the radialdirection with respect to the optical axis, and the vertical axis showsmagnetic flux density. The center of the horizontal axis shows aboundary portion between the two magnetizing poles of the detectingmagnet 22 p, and herein, the magnetic density is zero. This positioncorresponds to the neutral position at which the optical axis of theshift lens L3 roughly coincides with optical axes of other lenses.

In FIG. 6, within the range of the displacement amount shown by thealternate long and short chain lines, the magnetic flux density linearlychanges so as not to come into problem in practical use. The change inmagnetic flux density is detected from the hall element 24 p as anelectric signal by means of proper signal processing, whereby theposition of the shift lens L3 can be detected.

In FIG. 7, an example of a signal processing circuit of the hall element24 p is shown. In this figure, 24 denotes a hall element and 40 denotesan operational amplifier. This operational amplifier 40 is combined withthe resistors 40 a, 40 b, and 40 c to supply a constant current to thehall element 24. The output in response to the magnetic flux density ofthe hall element 24 is differentially amplified by operational amplifier41 and resistors 41 a, 41 b, 41 c, and 41 d.

Resistor 41 e is a variable resistor, which can shift the level of theelectric output signal in response to the magnetic flux density bychanging its resistance value. In the case of this embodiment, theoutput is adjusted so as to become equal to the reference potential Vcwhen the shift lens L3 is at the neutral position.

Operational amplifier 42 is combined with resistors 42 a and 42 b andamplifies the output of the operational amplifier 41 inverse to thereference potential Vc. Then, the resistance value of the variableresistor 42 b is changed, whereby the ratio of the change in outputvoltage to the change in magnetic flux density can be adjusted to be apredetermined value.

In FIG. 3, flexible substrate 25 has flexibility and is for electricallyconnecting the coil 20 p and hall element 24 p to external circuits.This flexible substrate 25 is turned up at folding portions 25 a (inFIG. 3, two folding portions 25 a are shown, and for easy understandingthis illustration, the substrate is cut at the folding portion 25 a inthe illustration). Hall element 24 p is mounted at the front side in theoptical axis direction of element holding portion 26 p. Each of thefolding portions 25 a is branched into both a pitch side and a yaw side,and have band-shaped portions 35 p and 37 p by means of bendingportions. Hole 28 p formed at a part of the front end portion 27 p isengaged by pin 29 p formed at the shift frame 15 so that the portion 27p can rotate about the pin. Both terminals of the coil 20 p are solderedto land portions 30 p and 31 p provided at the front end portion 27 p.

Presser plate 32 is for fixing the flexible substrate 25 to the sensorbase 17, and is fixed to the sensor base 17 by one screw S12.

Next, the connecting portion which is a fixing portion of the flexiblesubstrate 25 for absorbing movements of the sensor base 17 and shiftframe 15 is explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 8( a) and 8(b).

FIG. 8( a) shows a shape of the flexible substrate before being bent. Atthe portion to be fixed to the sensor base 17, hole 33 p and slot 34 pare formed in line in the longitudinal direction. Pins are formed atportions of the sensor base 17 corresponding to the hole 33 p and slot34 p, and the position of the flexible substrate 25 is determined by thehole 33 p, and the extending direction from the fixing portion isdetermined by the slot 34 p.

The bending portion between the hole 33 p and slot 34 p is pressed bythe presser plate 32 against the sensor base 17. The band-shapedportions 35 p and 37 p are bent at roughly 90 degrees at the bendingportion 36 p. The movements of the shift frame 15 in the pitch directionand yaw direction are absorbed by the deflection of the band-shapedportions 35 p and 37 p in the longitudinal direction.

The hole 28 p of the front end portion 27 p is engaged by the pin 29 pof the shift frame 15 as mentioned above, and the pin 29 p is a steppedpin so as to prevent the front end portion 27 from coming off.

The projection 38 p of the front end portion 27 p fits between thereceiving surface of the shift frame 15 and pressing portion 15 g formedand spaced from this receiving surface, whereby the front end portion 27p is prevented from slipping off the pin 29 p while maintaining rotationindependent of the pin 29 p within a certain range.

Herein, if the bending portion 36 p is bent at exactly 90 degrees withrespect to the longitudinal direction, the hole 28 p of the front endportion 27 p reaches the position of the pin 29 p, so that unnaturaldeformation does not occur at the band-shaped portions 35 p and 37 p ofthe flexible substrate 25, however, if the bending portion 36 p is bentby deviating 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction, theposition of the hole 28 p of the front end portion 27 p and the positionof the pin 29 p deviate from each other in accordance with the tilt ofthe bending in the optical axis direction.

At this time, the front end portion 27 p can rotate by a degreecorresponding to the deviation of the bending, the deviation of thebending of the bending portion 36 p can be absorbed by the twisting ofthe band-shaped portions 35 p and 37 p.

If the front end portion 27 p is structured so as not to rotate, whenthe bending of the bending portion 26 p deviates, a bending force in thelongitudinal direction (bending in the arrow A and arrow B directions inthe figure) by which the band-shaped portions 35 p and 37 p are noteasily bent is applied to the band-shaped portions 35 p and 37 p, andthe shift frame 15 is strongly pressed toward the optical axisdirection. Thereby, due to an increase in friction at the slidingportions between the balls 16 a through 16 c, shift base 13, and theshift frame 15, the movement of the shift frame 15 deteriorates.

Even when the pressing of the presser plate 32 at the connecting portionto the sensor base 17 deviates and the extending direction of theflexible substrate 25 slightly deviates, the position of the hole 28 pin the optical axis direction with respect to the pin 29 p deviates, sothat the elastic force in the optical axis direction by the flexiblesubstrate 25 is eased by the rotation of the front end portion 27 p.

Next, the construction and disposition of the position detecting meansand the rotation suppressing function and operation for the function ofthe shift frame 15 by means of two magnetic circuits in the pitch andyaw directions are explained with reference to FIG. 9( a) and FIG. 9(b).

FIG. 9( a) shows the shift frame 15 from the rear side in the opticalaxis direction. The two magnetic circuits in the pitch directions andyaw directions press the shift frame 15 in the optical axis direction.As mentioned above, the yokes 21 p and 21 y and drive magnets 18 p and18 y have the same projected shape in the optical axis direction.Therefore, the rotation of the shift frame 15 about the optical axiswith respect to the shift base 13 (sensor base 17) is suppressed by theattractive action of the two drive magnets 18 p and 18 y in the pitchand yaw directions fixed to the shift base 13.

The detecting magnets 22 p and 22 y are disposed so that the boundariesbetween the two magnetizing poles become perpendicular to theirdetecting directional axes (pitch directional axis and yaw directionalaxis), and when the movement of the detecting directional axis of one ofthe detecting magnets is smaller than the size of the other magnet, themagnetic flux distribution with respect to the hall element does notsubstantially change. Therefore, the position of the shift frame 15 canbe detected in a manner in which the two axes are independent from eachother.

Furthermore, the intersection of the detecting directional axes of thetwo position detecting means in the pitch and yaw directions coincideswith the optical axis of other lenses, so that even when the shift frame15 rotates about the optical axis, if the rotation is within arelatively small angle, change in the output value does not occur to adegree at which the change come into question in practical use.

The movement of the shift frame 15 when a drive force is applied to theshift frame 15 by the drive means differs depending on the positionalrelationship between the position of occurrence of the force of thedrive means and the center of gravity of the shift frame 15 and theconnecting position and shape of the connected flexible substrate 25.Since the two magnetic circuits only suppress the rotation of the shiftframe 15, the shift frame 15 occasionally rotates about the optical axisaccompanying the shift drive of the shift frame 15.

Change in output value from the position detecting means at this time isexplained with reference to FIG. 9( b). On the assumption that theposition detecting point in the pitch direction is defined as A, theposition detecting point in the yaw direction is defined as B, and theoptical axis of other lenses is defined as C, when the shift framerotates about the point D, the movements of the abovementionedrespective points are observed.

When the rotation angle is not very large, the respective points A, B,and C move in the direction perpendicular to the lines between thepoints and the point D.

Herein, the movement vectors of the points A, B, and C are defined asVa, Vb, and Vc, respectively, and components obtained by resolving thesevectors in the directions of extensions of the detecting directionalaxis x in the yoke direction and the detecting directional axis y in thepitch direction are defined as Vax, Vay, Vbx, Vby, Vcx, and Vcy.

The position detecting means rarely have sensitivity in the directionperpendicular to the detecting directional axes as mentioned above, sothat the vectors Vax and Vby are not detected by the position detectingmeans.

Since the intersection of the two detecting directional axes x and ycoincides with the optical axis C, the following relationships:

Vcx=Vbx

Vcy=Vay

are established with respect to the movement vectors Vcx and Vcy of theoptical axis C.

This means that the change in the optical axis position of the shiftlens L3 in accordance with the rotation about a point apart from theoptical axis C, that is, the shift amount can be correctly detected bythe position detecting means without being influenced by the rotation,and by control of positioning the drive means and position detectingmeans (described later), the shift frame 15 can be moved to a correctposition.

FIG. 10 shows electric circuitry in a imaging device (video camera orthe like) in a lens barrel with the vibration correcting function. Inthe lens barrel shown in FIG. 2, optical low-pass filter 50 foreliminating high frequency components in a spatial frequency of asubject image and image pickup device 51 such as a CCD for converting anoptical image formed on the focus plane into an electric signal areprovided.

Furthermore, in the camera body, camera signal processing circuit 52 forprocessing an electric signal a read-out from the image pickup device 51into an image signal b, and microcomputer 53 as a control circuit forcontrolling lens drive are provided.

When the camera power supply is turned on, while monitoring the outputsof focus reset circuit 54 and zoom reset circuit 55, the microcomputer53 drives focus motor drive circuit 56 and zoom motor drive circuit 57to rotate the focus motor 9 and zoom motor 10 to move the focus movingframe 4 and zoom moving frame 2 in the optical axis direction.

The outputs of the focus reset circuit 54 and zoom reset circuit 55 areinverted at predetermined positions of the focus moving frame 4 and zoommoving frame 2 (boundaries at which the light shielding portionsprovided on the moving frames shield the light emitting portions of thereset switches 11 and 12). This serial operation is referred to as resetoperation for the focus moving frame 4 and zoom moving frame 2.

The microcomputer 53 counts the number of drive steps of the focus motor9 and zoom motor 10 thereafter based on the positions, whereby thecomputer can recognize the absolute positions of the focus moving frame(the fourth lens group L4) and zoom moving frame 2 (the second lensgroup L2). By counting the number of drive steps of the zoom motor 10,accurate focal length information can be obtained.

Stop drive circuit 58 is for driving the aperture stop unit 8, and theaperture diameter is controlled based on brightness information b of theimage signal taken in the microcomputer 53.

Pitch and yaw angle detecting circuits 59 and 60 are for detectingvibration angles in the pitch direction and yaw direction of the imagingdevice, respectively. Detection of vibration angles is carried out byintegrating an output of, for example, an angular velocity sensor suchas a vibration gyro fixed to the camera body.

The outputs of both angle detecting circuits 59 and 60, that is,information on vibration angles of the imaging device is taken into themicrocomputer 53.

Pitch and yaw coil drive circuits 61 and 62 control power supply to thecoils 20 p and 20 y comprising the pitch direction and yaw directiondrive means mentioned above in response to the outputs from the angledetecting circuit 59 and 60, and shifts the shift frame 15 (shift lensL3) within the optical axis orthogonal plane.

Pitch and yaw position detecting circuits 63 and 64 include theabovementioned position detecting means and detect shift amounts of theshift frame 15 with respect to the optical axis, and outputs from theseposition detecting circuits 63 and 64 are taken into the microcomputer53.

When the shift lens L3 shifts, a transmitting light flux inside theshooting lens is bent. Therefore, The shift lens L3 is shifted so that atransmitting light flux is bent, equivalent to a bending amount to becounterbalanced, in a direction of counterbalancing a displacement of asubject image on a image pickup device 51 inherently occurring due tothe occurrence of vibrations in the imaging device, whereby so-calledvibration correction can be carried out, by which a formed subject imagedoes not move on the imaging pickup element 51 even if the photographicdevice vibrates.

Based on signals for which amplification and adequate phase compensationare carried out with respect to signals corresponding to a differentialbetween the vibration signals of the imaging device, which are obtainedfrom the pitch angle detecting circuit 59 and the yaw angle detectingcircuit 60, and the shift amount signals obtained from the pitchposition detecting circuit 63 and the yaw position detecting circuit,the microcomputer 53 causes the pitch coil drive circuit 61 and the yawcoil drive circuit 62 to drive and shift the shift frame 15.

By the control, the shift lens L3 is controlled so as to be positionedso that the differential signal mentioned above can be made smaller, andthe shift lens L3 is maintained at a target position.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, since the shift lens L3 islocated at the nearer image plane side than the second group lens L2 forzooming, the amount of shift in an image with respect to the shiftamount of the shift lens L3 may be varied by the position of the secondgroup lens L2, that is, the focal length.

Therefore, the shift amount of the shift lens L3 is not directlydetermined based on vibration signals of the imaging device that isobtained from the pitch angle detecting circuit 59 and yaw angledetecting circuit 60, but the vibration signals are corrected based onthe positional information (focal length information) of the secondgroup lens L2. Thereby, proper vibration correcting control can be maderegardless of the focal length.

An operation for correcting vibration is described above. Furthermore,the reset operation for balls 16 a through 16 c is carried out near orat the same time by time-sharing with the zooming and focusing resetoperation when turning the power supply on (that is, before starting thevibration correcting operation), the vibration correcting operation canbe carried out under rolling friction of the balls immediately after thereset operation for the balls even if the balls 16 a through 16 cdeviate from correct positions due to impact or the like in an unusedcondition of the imaging device. Therefore, the device can alwaysexhibit excellent vibration correction performance.

Conditions except for the time of use (observing subject images with amonitor or recording images into a recording device) of the photographicdevice are judged by the microcomputer 53 (for example, the conditionwhere the imaging device is being carried by a user is judged byobserving vibration angles of the imaging device), and the resetoperation for the balls is carried out in this condition, wherebyexcellent vibration correction can be always guaranteed.

The correcting angle range for vibration correction is generally between0.5 degrees and 1 degree, and in actual shooting, operations foroperating functions of the imaging device and operations for searchingfor a subject through a finder cause movements of the imaging deviceexceeding the abovementioned correcting angle range. Therefore, thephotographic device may be caused to carry out the same operation as theball reset operation depending on the movement. The vibration correctionperformance deteriorates in a moment due to discontinuous increases infrictional force when the balls change from a rolling frictionalcondition into a sliding frictional condition, however, if a movementover the correcting angle range is provided for the device, the guide iscarried out by only ball rolling thereafter, so that excellent vibrationcorrection becomes possible.

In this embodiment, a moving coil type vibration correcting device inwhich drive magnets are held by the device main body (shift base) andcoils are held by the shift member is explained, however, the drivemagnets may be held by the shift member and the coils may be held by thedevice main body.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, a shift unit to be used for a imagingdevice is explained, however, the vibration correcting device of theinvention can be used for observing devices such as binoculars andtelescopes.

As mentioned above, in the above-mentioned embodiment, since the shiftmember is pressed toward the device main body side by means of magneticattractive action between the drive magnets and yokes so that the ballsare disposed and supported between the shift member and device mainbody, friction which becomes a load when shifting the shift member canbe reduced to be only ball rolling friction. Since the rolling frictionis very small in comparison with the sliding friction, even if the forcefor pressing the shift member in the optical axis direction (toward thedevice main body side) is increased, the shift member can be minutelydriven and controlled. Therefore, the pressing force can be increased toa degree at which influences from unevenness in the elastic force in theoptical axis direction of the flexible substrate which connects theshift member and device main body to each other can be ignored,looseness between the shift member and device main body can be securelyeliminated, and excellent vibration correction performance for minutevibration correcting control can be secured.

Furthermore, if projections for causing magnetic attractive forces bythe drive magnets to act are provided on the surfaces at the drivemagnet sides of the yokes, attractive forces for pressing the shiftmember toward the device main body side act efficiently, or the shiftdrive force acts efficiently on the shift member.

Furthermore, if the balls are formed from a material which does noteasily cause magnetic action, the balls can be prevented from beingattracted by the drive magnets and detecting magnets to be used asposition detecting means, and prevented from displacing by theattractive force, and device assembly efficiency can be prevented fromdeteriorating.

Furthermore, if the pressing force by means of magnetic attractiveaction between the drive magnets and yokes for the shift member towardthe device main body side is set to be five times or more the weight ofthe shift member including the vibration correcting lens, in actual useof the vibration correcting device, influences from the elastic force inthe optical axis direction caused by the flexible substrate connectingthe device main body and shift member can be eliminated, and loosenessbetween the shift member and device main body can be securelyeliminated.

Moreover, if lubricating oil with viscosity which can hold the ballswithout relying on the pressing force caused by magnetic attractiveaction between the drive magnets and yokes is applied to the contactsurfaces between the shift member and device main body and the balls,friction between the balls and the shift member and device main body canbe further reduced, and even if a great inertia is applied to the shiftmember in the optical axis direction and causes the shift member tofloat from the balls against the magnetic attractive action, the ballscan be prevented by the viscosity of the lubricating oil from easilydisplacing.

In addition, in a case where the end surfaces (limiting ends) forlimiting the movement range of the balls in the optical axis orthogonaldirection accompanying the shift movement of the shift member areprovided on the device main body, even when the balls come into contactwith the limiting ends, the balls can be prevented from displacing inthe optical axis orthogonal direction with respect to the device mainbody, and thereafter, influences of displacement of the balls againstthe positional control (that is, vibration correcting control) of theshift member can be suppressed to be a minimum.

In a case where a pitch drive means for applying a drive force to theshift member in the pitch direction within the optical axis orthogonalplane and a yaw drive means for applying a drive force to the shiftmember in the yaw direction are provided on the yokes and coils, when amovement limiting portion for limiting the movement range in thedirection orthogonal to the optical axis of the balls accompanying theshift movement of the shift member is provided, this movement limitingportion is formed into a rectangle shape composed of a pair of limitingends extending in the pitch direction and a pair of limiting endsextending in the yaw direction. Then, if the distances between the pairof limiting ends of this movement limiting portion are set to be lengthsresulting from summing the diameter of the balls and the maximummovement amount of the balls in response to the shift movement in thepitch direction or yaw direction of the shift member and thepredetermined allowance, the area of range in the shift member anddevice main body with which the balls come into contact can be reducedto be a minimum, and this is advantageous for improvement in spaceefficiency and securing surface accuracy in the contact range.

When a pitch drive means and a yaw drive means, which are comprised ofdrive magnets, yokes, and coils to apply drive forces to the shiftmember in the pitch and yaw directions, respectively, within the opticalaxis orthogonal plane, are provided, and a pitch position detectingmeans and a yaw directional position detecting means, which detect thepitch directional position and yaw directional position, respectively,of the shift member, are provided, if the detecting directional axis ofthe pitch position detecting means and the detecting directional axis ofthe yaw position detecting means are disposed so as to be on the opticalaxis or in the vicinity of the optical axis of the vibration correctinglens when the shift member is at a neutral position in the pitchdirection and yaw direction, even if the shift member slightly rotatesabout the optical axis of the vibration correcting lens during shifting,the rotation can be prevented from influencing the detection results ofthe position detecting means to a level which comes into problem interms of positional control of the shift member, whereby positionalcontrol (that is, vibration correcting control) of the shift member canbe made with high accuracy by simple construction.

In a case where the position detecting means for detecting the positionof the shift member within the optical axis orthogonal plane arecomprised of detecting magnets which are two-pole magnetized and held bythe shift member and elements for detecting changes in magnetic fluxdensity due to movements of these detecting magnets, a magnetic fluxfrom the detecting magnets are made to pass through the yokes held bythe shift member, that is, the yokes to be used as the shift memberdrive means are also used for positional detection, whereby the numberof parts can be reduced and the device can be downsized in comparisonwith the case where yokes exclusive to positional detection areprovided, and vibration correcting control performance can be improvedby reducing the weight of the shift member.

In the abovementioned embodiment, a movement limiting portion isprovided for limiting the movable range of the balls on the device mainbody, and before starting the vibration correcting operation, the shiftmember is moved and shifted by a maximum movable amount so that theballs are positioned within an initial positioning range in the vicinityof the center of the movement limiting portion with respect to the shiftmember and device main body. Therefore, at the point of starting thevibration correcting operation, the balls can be securely positionedwithin the initial positioning range, and even if the shift member movesby a maximum movable amount during the vibration correcting operation,limitation of rolling movements of the balls by the movement limitingportion and occurring of sliding friction between the balls and shiftmember can be prevented. Therefore, the frictional force to act on theshift member during vibration correction can be limited to only therolling friction between the shift member and balls, whereby vibrationcorrecting control can be made with high accuracy.

1. A vibration correcting device comprising: a lens unit having anoptical axis; a movable member holding the lens unit, which makes saidlens unit movable within a plane orthogonal to the optical axis; a fixedmember for limiting the movement of the movable member in the opticalaxis direction; at least three balls disposed between the movable memberand fixed member, which can roll between the movable member and fixedmember and make relative movements of the movable member and fixedmember possible; a vibration detecting unit, which outputs vibrationinformation corresponding to vibration; and a drive unit for driving themovable member within the optical axis orthogonal plane in accordancewith the vibration information from the vibration detecting unit, whichincludes at least a drive magnet held by the fixed member and a yoke anda coil held by the movable member, or include at least a drive magnetheld by the movable member and a yoke and a coil held by the fixedmember, wherein said drive unit presses the movable member toward thefixed member side by means of a magnetic pressing force caused bymagnetic attractive action between the drive magnet and yoke. 2.-39.(canceled)